KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Fabian M. Pereira normally hits the gym for a workout on Monday nights. Last Monday, however, he took a break to give food to the homeless and needy in the city.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” he said of his first time volunteering with Pertiwi Soup Kitchen.

“I want to continue helping. I was driven to volunteer by my friends and the statement Tengku Adnan made. It is good to see many capable people of all races joining in to help those less fortunate who can’t help themselves.”

Pereira, 26, was among those who turned up to volunteer at soup kitchens despite Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor’s announcement that soup kitchens were banned from operating within a 2km radius of Lot 10.

Met at the Kota Raya distribution area, he said removing the homeless from the city was uncalled for.

“I just got back from the United States. The homeless population there is higher than in our city but instead of chasing them out, the government assists them with the basic help they need,” he said.

“I do hope soup kitchens will continue to help the needy because I would like to continue spending my time helping whenever I have the opportunity.”

Another first-timer, Khalis Yazid, 20, from Shah Alam, said he was willing to spend his time helping the homeless because he wanted to know what it felt like to help someone in need.

“They (the homeless) need our help and we must try to help them in any way possible,” he said.

Lecturer by day, volunteer by night, Catalina Rembuyan, 32, said she joined Dapur Jalanan to distribute food to the homeless because it was a way to help without judgment.

“It is a private endeavour by me and many others who want to get to the source of the problem,” she said.

“When we see someone who is homeless, there could be several reasons why they choose to live that life. Who are we to judge? They rely on as much help as they can get from other people and comments by Tengku Adnan to evict them and stop soup kitchens from operating are totally out of touch.”

Catalina said even the mostly middle-class volunteers were feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living.

“We all experience financial difficulties because the cost of living is so high these days. Those who receive aid are usually thankful for the help they receive. They need that little help they can get to help them back on their feet,” she said.

A group of youths in their late teens and early 20s, was also spotted helping out with food distribution in Jalan Imbi.

Repeat volunteer Fazli Abdul Latif, 21, from Taman Melawati, said he got a special feeling by helping another person.

He and his friends normally buy burgers and drinks to distribute.

“If there is no one to help them, how will they survive?” he said.

“This will be the stepping stone to probably start my own soup kitchen in the future.”